Episode 15 - The hidden cost of giving your value away

Join us on the Free Spirits of L&D podcast as we explore what happens when freelancing grows up.In this episode, we sit down with Emma Coller, a retired police officer turned executive coach, consultant, and co-founder of Growth Pod, a leadership development business based in Yorkshire. Emma shares her journey from policing into learning and development, what it was like entering the commercial world for the first time, and why confidence took longer to build than competence.We talk openly about the loneliness of early freelancing, the moment Emma realised she did not want to do it alone, and how a chance collaboration evolved into a long-term business partnership. Emma also breaks down the realities of bid writing, why most people avoid it, and how investing in learning that skill led to winning a major national contract.Emma answers Sara’s question from the previous episode on what she has learned to say no to, including why giving work away for free stops being sustainable, and how knowing your direction makes decisions easier. She also sets a thoughtful question for our next guest about choosing a personal North Star word to guide decision-making for the year ahead. Plus, Emma shares how she thinks about pricing, fairness, and paying associates well.Whether you are new to freelancing or already a few years in, this episode offers honest insight into growth, boundaries, and building something that lasts.You can find Emma on LinkedIn, visit GrowthPod at https://www.growth-pod.co.uk, or email her at [email protected]